Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin France due to terrorism and unrest. Pickpocketing and phone thefts are common, especially in crowded places.”
Updated Wed, 28 May 2025
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Is Paris safe? 🇫🇷
France · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Paris scores 75/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. Paris remains generally safe for visitors in October 2026, with petty crime being the primary concern and violent incidents rare. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Paris 🇫🇷
France · Assessed 14 October 2026
75
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime63/100FairCrime index 58.0 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment72/100GoodModerately cautious
Advisories75Good
Stability76Good
Health91Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Wildfires in France There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October. For advice, visit the wildfires section on the Safety and security page.”
Updated 2026-10-07T11:54:19Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for France: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-10-13T07:46:59.881597-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
2.1M residents
59
City SignalCity Geocoding
Robbery / mugging
LowArmed robbery against tourists is rare; occasional incidents occur near ATMs or isolated streets at night, mainly in outer arrondissements like 18th, 19th, and 20th.
Pickpocketing
HighWidespread in tourist hotspots (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Sacré-Cœur) and on Metro lines 1, 4, and RER B; bags and phones are frequent targets.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Moderately cautious
72/100
Reported feel55Moderately cautious
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Visitors report feeling safe walking alone in daylight but express concern about mugging and robbery risks, particularly at night and in less touristy areas, leading to heightened vigilance in crowds and on public transit.
Yes. Paris remains generally safe for visitors in October 2026, with petty crime being the primary concern and violent incidents rare.
Official data shows Paris scores 76/100 on composite safety, with low homicide and terrorism risks but notable petty crime in tourist zones. Visitor sentiment reflects caution due to frequent pickpocketing and scams, though most feel safe during daylight hours. Recent protests in October 2026 have caused transit disruptions but rarely target tourists directly.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Tens of thousands rally across France in third week of school protests, with clashes reported in Paris— The Guardian
- Oct 2026Police and protesters clash in Paris as tens of thousands attend France student protests— Axios
- Oct 2026Violence in Paris as tens of thousands attend France student protests— Euronews
- Oct 2026Greta Thunberg joins French teens on new day of school protests in Paris— Reuters
Common scams
- friendship bracelet scam near Sacré-Cœur
- petition scams at major attractions
- gold ring scam on pedestrian bridges
- distraction thefts on Metro lines 1 and 4
- fake petition or survey scams
Full briefing
Paris sees frequent student protests in October 2026, with tens of thousands rallying across the city and occasional clashes between police and demonstrators, according to The Guardian, Axios, Euronews, and Reuters. While these demonstrations rarely target tourists directly, they can disrupt metro and bus routes, particularly in central and eastern arrondissements. Travelers should check local news each morning and avoid protest zones to prevent delays or accidental exposure to tension.
Pickpocketing remains the most consistent risk for visitors, especially at major attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Sacré-Cœur, and on Metro lines 1 and 4 and the RER B, as noted by go2-france.com and ismytripsafe.com. Scams such as the friendship bracelet, petition, and gold ring tricks are regularly reported in the same spots daily, particularly near tourist hotspots. Although violent crime against tourists is rare, armed robberies have occurred near ATMs or isolated streets at night, mainly in the 18th, 19th, and 20th arrondissements.
To stay safe, visitors should use anti-theft bags or money belts, avoid displaying phones or wallets openly, and keep bags zipped and in front of them on public transit. It is wise to stick to well-lit, populated streets at night and remain cautious when strangers approach with petitions or offers near attractions. Despite these risks, Paris maintains robust security measures, and most areas remain safe for exploration with standard urban precautions.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Paris districts for visitors: 2 safer, 4 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Paris safety map.
19th arrondissement (Parc de la Villette)avoidHigher incidence of petty crime and occasional unrest; avoid at night, especially near Porte de Pantin and périphérique edges.
20th arrondissement (Belleville/Ménilmontant)avoidReports of increased theft and drug-related activity; exercise heightened caution, particularly after dark and near Belleville Park.
1st arrondissement (Louvre/Tuileries)cautionHeavy tourist crowds make pickpocketing common; vigilance advised, especially around museums and metro stations.
8th arrondissement (Champs-Élysées)cautionHigh foot traffic and luxury shopping attract pickpockets and scammers; avoid displaying valuables, especially near metro exits.
10th arrondissement (Gare du Nord area)cautionMajor transit hub with elevated pickpocketing and scam risk; exercise caution at night, particularly around Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est.
18th arrondissement (Montmartre)cautionTourist draw with persistent pickpocket and scam activity around Sacré-Cœur; generally safe by day, but avoid isolated streets after dark.
4th arrondissement (Le Marais)saferPopular and generally safe by day and night; standard precautions against pickpockets in busy areas like Rue de Rivoli.
5th arrondissement (Latin Quarter)saferLively student area with low violent crime; pickpocket risk near Sorbonne and metro stations, but otherwise secure.
07 · After Dark
Is Paris safe at night?
78% of people in France say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Armed robbery against tourists is rare; occasional incidents occur near ATMs or isolated streets at night, mainly in outer arrondissements like 18th, 19th, and 20th.
After dark, be most careful around 19th arrondissement (Parc de la Villette), 20th arrondissement (Belleville/Ménilmontant), 1st arrondissement (Louvre/Tuileries), 8th arrondissement (Champs-Élysées). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Paris safety FAQ (2026)
Is Paris safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Paris remains generally safe for visitors in October 2026, with petty crime being the primary concern and violent incidents rare. Official data shows Paris scores 76/100 on composite safety, with low homicide and terrorism risks but notable petty crime in tourist zones. Visitor sentiment reflects caution due to frequent pickpocketing and scams, though most feel safe during daylight hours. Recent protests in October 2026 have caused transit disruptions but rarely target tourists directly. (Assessed 14 October 2026.)
Is Paris safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Paris report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Paris should tourists avoid?
Field research flags 19th arrondissement (Parc de la Villette), 20th arrondissement (Belleville/Ménilmontant) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Paris (2026)?
- friendship bracelet scam near Sacré-Cœur
- petition scams at major attractions
- gold ring scam on pedestrian bridges
- distraction thefts on Metro lines 1 and 4
How does Paris compare with other places in France (2026)?
Paris ranks #9 of 9 France destinations we've assessed, scoring 75/100. See the France safety overview for the full list.
How is this paris safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: paris.json (CC BY 4.0).